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Friday, December 30, 2016

Packing an excessive amount of gear into a beautiful design and selling it for a steal of a deal is what Kia does to win friends and influence buyers. There’s no better example of this philosophy than the 2017 Cadenza sedan that's due to arrive later this year.

Not all that long ago few people would have believed that any Korea-based automaker would be selling luxury cars in North America. Today, Hyundai is spinning off the Genesis into a separate upscale brand and Hyundai’s Kia division has both mid-luxury Cadenza and upper-range K900 four-door sedans in its lineup. Part of the credit goes to Kia design boss Peter Schreyer. There’s enough new stuff in the latest designed-in-California Cadenza compared to the original model that launched for 2014 that you could accurately describe it as a second-generation model. Although overall length remains untouched, the distance between the front and rear wheels has increased slightly, which translates into a bit more rear-seat legroom.

2017 Cadenza

The roofline has been extended rearward by two inches for a sportier look, while trunk space has increased somewhat. Additional visual enhancement is clearly evident in the front. The Cadenza’s grilles depart from Kia’s signature “tiger nose” design and are now concave. The “Diamond Butterfly” grille on the base Cadenza appears similar to what you’ll find on other Kia models. On upper trim levels, the “Intaglio” grille with vertical bars looks like those installed on Maserati luxury cars. Kia says the new Cadenza platform is lighter and about 35 percent stiffer.

Also keeping the pounds off (it weighs in with slightly fewer pounds, despite having extra sound-deadening materials) is the use of aluminum suspension components. The reworked interior now has a wraparound dashboard and the door-panel materials have been upgraded. The driver’s seat can be ordered with an adjustable cushion extension that is claimed to be more supportive for the legs and helps reduce fatigue. Some semblance of carry-over familiarity is evident with the Cadenza’s powerplant, which is essentially the same 3.3-liter V-6 as before. Retuning the engine for improved fuel economy has resulted in an output of 290 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque, representing a virtually indiscernible loss of three horsepower and a meager two pound-feet. The V-6 now ships torque to the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission instead of a six-speed unit. Kia estimates the Cadenza will achieve a rating of 20 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway, compared with 19 / 28 for the 2016 model. The only sticking point with the Cadenza is the lack of all-wheel-drive availability, which is a vital technology that nearly every competing car can offer.

Thursday, December 29, 2016

If one wishes to buy the 2017 Kia Sportage, then they will be in for a big, surprise as new owners will get more than what is expected. Kia has been working hard to earn consumer trust by considering bolder designs at a great price. The $33,000 EX AWD model will treat would-be buyers as it is pretty much loaded. There are also lower variants that still exceed expectations.

What are the overflowing features of the 2017 Kia Sportage?

The 2017 Sportage EX, for instance, will cost $27,000 but throws in a plethora of useful stuff. It already has shiny 18-inch wheels, leather seats that are heated (front only, power driver's seat that supports power lumbar), and last but not least: keyless access. There's also an option to choose a drive-mode; this is equipped on all 2017 Sportage. On top of that, there's the usual 5-year or 60,000-mile warranty, whichever comes first.

2017 Kia Sportage Dashboard

The 7-inch touchscreen may not occupy the dashboard well compared to the 8-inch variant but it does offer Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. That said, the audio/visual system will offer a handful of awesome features, according to Motor Trend. This includes a freeKia Sportage navigation system when hooked up with a smart phone - all it needs to work properly is a good data signal.

2017 Kia Sportage Premium Features

Kia car buyers can also add cash on top of the basic 2017 Kia Sportage price to get more goodies. The all-wheel-drive system will cost $1,500, a panoramic sunroof will cost another $1,900, other packages feature blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, power-folding side mirrors, heated steering wheel, LED interior lights, and a rearview mirror that automatically dims when a new driver does a high beam from the rear. The automatic emergency break system is also available for variants past the $31,000 price range.

The 2017 Kia Sportage features listed above are considered basic or sub-premium. For those who are willing to pay more, say the EX Premium package, expect more awesome features. More review stuff below:

Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Knicks star Carmelo Anthony played secret Santa for a Bronx teen who just won a tough battle with cancer — by surprising the boy and his family with a new SUV.

The 6-foot-8 hoopster, with a heart as big as his body, handed 17-year-old Jarell Lara, his mom, Anne, and dad, Fernando, the keys to a Kia Sorento just before the Knicks’ Christmas Day game at Madison Square Garden against the Boston Celtics.

“This is the best Christmas I’ve ever had,” said Jarell, who attends Manhattan Business Academy high school in Chelsea. “I’m going to go home and rewatch everything from today — and sit in the car.”

Although Jarell’s illness, which affects his immune system, is in remission, his family has been forced to make sacrifices to care for him. In addition to Anne leaving her job, the family had to move from Washington Heights to a less expensive place in the South Bronx.

The financial toll is evident in their old car, which frequently breaks down. And on a recent trip to buy groceries, the car had so much trouble making it up a hill, the family had to get out and push, an MSG spokeswoman said.

Jarell and his family, including his dad Fernando and his 9-year-old brother Alixander, were having fun watching the pregame warmup when Anthony told them to follow him.

A shy Jarell, who teared up when Anthony showed him the shiny, new car, said he was “super shocked” by Anthony’s generosity.

“I was not expecting that at all,” he said. “When they sent me back [to the garage], I thought it was just to talk or say hi. But it was a car.”

Anthony was touched, too.

“I don’t think you can put that into words,” he said. “To see the expressions on their face and the mom crying.

Kia and MSG’s Garden of Dreams generally give away one car per year to a needy family. This year, Anthony got involved by offering to split the cost of the giveaway three ways, MSG spokeswoman Shakeema Simmons said. The vehicle’s price starts at $25,400.

Sunday’s treat was the third time Anthony and Jarell have met.

After their first meeting, in January, they reconnected on Wednesday at a Target store, where Jarell and his family were treated to a $2,000 holiday shopping spree with 20 other needy families.

Anthony was at the event because it was sponsored in part by the Knicks. It was at the Target cash register that Anthony invited the family to the Christmas game, which the Celtics won, 119-114.

When asked if he will drive the car home, Jarell chuckled. “No, but dad is,” he said. “I have my permit, so I can practice.

“It’s a blessing because so many other people have had it worse than me,” he went on. “But for me to get picked is very nice. Especially for him to go out of his way and get a car for me and my family — just amazing.”

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Arriving at New York City Hall in downtown Manhattan, the 2017 Kia Niro officially received a Guinness World Record® title for the lowest fuel consumption driving across the USA from coast to coast (hybrid car). The new record-setting mark is an incredible 76.6 mpg.

"We're extremely pleased with the Niro's record-breaking performance," said Orth Hedrick, vice president, product planning KMA. "We set out to build a vehicle that offers real-world utility, great looks and fantastic mileage, and setting the Guinness World Record® title confirms our achievement."

The Niro EX was driven by Wayne Gerdes of Carlsbad, California, and co-driver Robert Winger of Williamsburg, Virginia, 3,715.4 miles from Los Angeles City Hall to New York City Hall using only 48.5 gallons or 4.1 tanks of gas. The vehicle was not altered in any way for the attempt.

The Niro, an Urban Crossover Hybrid Vehicle, is the first dedicated Kia hybrid and was conceived to bridge the gap between outstanding fuel economy and compact crossover usefulness. In addition to its athletic and attractive design, the Niro's long list of features includes: a specially-designed, innovative hybrid system to provide a more dynamic and engaging driving experience; a spacious cabin with lots of room for five occupants and their gear; a full array of advanced driver assistance features — available Autonomous Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Change Assist and Lane Departure Warning; and advanced telematics and entertainment equipment — UVO3 with Apple CarPlay™2, Android Auto™3 and a 7-inch touch screen and available Smart Cruise Control, navigation and a Harman Kardon® premium audio system.

The all-new 2017 Niro is set to arrive in Kia retailers in the first quarter of next year and will be available in five trim levels: FE, LX, EX, Touring and in a limited-quantity Launch Edition. The FE is EPA rated to achieve 52 mpg highway/49 mpg city/50 mpg combined, while the LX reaches 51/46/49 mpg and the Touring at 46/40/43 mpg.

Monday, December 19, 2016

With the Optima GT, Kia is aiming to join the sporty set. When it comes to Britain in just under a year, the 242bhp saloon and estate will be the most powerful cars the Korean company has ever sold here.

The power comes from a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine driving the front wheels. It allows a 0-62 time of 7.4 seconds and a top speed, for all that such a thing is relevant, of 149mph, taking Kia into territory that might be some way off its premium rivals but certainly demonstrates how far the company has come.

The engine gets things going briskly so long as you keep the revs high enough. Doing so provokes a faintly embarrassing level of synthesised noise from the Active Sound System – Kia isn't alone in using this trick, but no-one else we can think of has laid it on this thick nor made it sound so overdone.

We're not fans of the standard-fit six-speed auto, either. It doesn't respond quickly enough to suit a performance car, and trying to take control manually can provoke downshifts that take forever and, when they finally happen, come in abruptly. It's better when you're pottering along, but didn't someone say this is meant to be a performance car?

The models we've driven so far weren't on UK-spec suspension or tyres, so we're not going to second-guess what the GT's ride and handling will be like by the time it gets here. Body control was good enough to suggest they've got a decent platform to work from, though.

When it does come here, the Optima GT will have stiffer springs and anti-roll bars, bigger brakes and more responsive steering than the standard model. So there are plenty of areas in which Kia can make it sportier. As it stands, they've had a go at the cabin – where beyond the usual spacious, comfy, well kitted fare we found that the GT-badged seats don't really hold you in place the way you'd like them to.

Thursday, December 15, 2016

The K900 luxury sedan carries over into the 2017 model year with an extensive list of standard equipment, world-class accommodations, premium driving dynamics and stunning design that redefines consumer perception and expectations of the Kia brand. The 2017 K900 comes standard with a 3.8-liter, 311-horsepower V6 engine along with leather seating, navigation and a full length panoramic sunroof with retractable sunshade. New standard features include Blind Spot Detection with Rear-Cross Traffic Alert and Lane Change Assist. Offered in three trims; V6 Premium, V6 Luxury and V8 Luxury, the K900 continues to challenge conventional notions of luxury.

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

When I was told I would be testing a Kia Sportage this week, I still had in mind the little humpty-dumpty, roly-poly sort of semi-sport ute that it used to be. Well, the Sportage has grown up.

There’s a whole lot that’s great about the little Sportage and only a little that isn’t. First the terrific. What was a barely competitive small SUV is now a gorgeous alternative to an Equinox, RAV 4 or Honda CRV.

Inside, the good news continues with styling that is first rate. Kia has come a long way from the old days when otherwise lovely interiors were only let down by some plastics suitable for Happy Meal toys. And the list of options available, and installed on our test truck, is comprehensive and allows the Sportage to play with the big boys.

Our truck had the sunroof, navigation system, rear sonar, heated seats and the whole cornucopia of SUV excess. Off-road…no wait, you really don’t want to do that because ours was a two-wheel-drive model. No, this little Kia is purely civilian transport, meant for hauling kids and stuff through the wilds of suburbia, sunroof open and premium stereo blaring.

Power comes from a turbocharged, 2.0-liter inline four cylinder engine cranking out 240 ponies that have far less trouble pulling 4000 pounds around than the standard, 2.4-liter, 161 horsepower four that is also available. On the highway, care must be taken as the steering is very quick and lane changes can get twitchy if you lose focus. Mileage is 22 city, 26 highway.

Now the bad. Our little front-wheel-drive trucklet stickered at $33,395. Now it has to really compete with the Equinox, for example, which has an available V6 and starts at just under $25,000. Kia’s trump card has always been price, so, now it will go head to head without that card in the deck.

That takes courage, but the Sportage is a high quality product. Let the games begin.

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Automakers are stuck between a rock and hard place with hybrid vehicles. On one hand, efficient hybrids are a necessary evil – for lack of a better phrase – to hit increasingly stringent CAFE standards. But on the other hand, low fuel prices mean it takes an increasingly long time for consumers to see a return on the investment of a hybrid's price premium. These factors have pushed automakers even harder to squeeze every mile per gallon possible out their hybrid offerings.

That's inevitably led to powertrain innovations designed to maximize just how long and how far hybrids can run on pure electric power and how often the gas engine can shut down. Occasionally, this doesn't work out all that well – as is the case with the new Nissan Rogue Hybrid, for instance – but there are companies getting things right. Kia, with its 2017 Optima Hybrid, is one of them.

Drive Notes

Kia didn't try to get too creative with the Optima Hybrid's powertrain for 2017. There's a 2.0-liter, naturally aspirated, four-cylinder gas engine, a 38-kilowatt electric motor, and a 1.62-kWh battery pack. Total system output is 192 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque, with EPA estimated fuel economy ratings of 39 miles per gallon in the city and 46 mpg on the highway for a 42-mpg combined rating. That's all spiffy.

But taking a six-speed automatic and replacing the torque converter with a clutch and the electric motor, Kia built a hybrid sedan that smoothly intertwines disparate power sources as well as a conventional hybrid like a Toyota Prius, while allowing the Optima Hybrid to take greater advantage of zero-emissions systems. Lift off the throttle and the four-cylinder engine shuts down and lets the 50-hp electric motor handle light, constant-throttle cruising below 62 miles per hour. Dig deeper into the gas, and the petrol powerplant quickly restarts and delivers the bulk of the Optima's power for heavy acceleration and higher-speed conditions. The Optima's back and forth is rarely disjointed – Kia's hybrid feels a lot like its conventionally powered model in normal driving. It's only under sudden, wide-open throttle situations, where the hybrid systems feel caught off guard, that the Optima Hybrid feels flatfooted.

A less obvious benefit of the six-speed automatic, of course, is that it leads to quieter operation. There's no rubber-band-like revving like you'd get with a CVT because the transmission can actually shift up a gear. Now, the Optima's 2.0-liter doesn't sound bad – we wouldn't complain about the noise if there was a CVT here – but the lack of noise is a pleasant side effect of the six-speed auto.

The actual power on offer, meanwhile, falls somewhere between that of a base Optima and the turbocharged SX – unsurprisingly, there's a lot more low-end torque, owing to the electric motor. The Optima Hybrid feels snappier than the base, 2.4-liter Optima, but it fades at higher rpm and simply doesn't feel as potent as the 2.0-liter, turbocharged car.

Powertrain tweaks aside, the Optima Hybrid rides and handles largely like its gas-only counterpart. That's to say the steering is light and pleasant, but doesn't do a great job transmitting finer road detail to the driver's hands. The ride is heavily biased towards comfort – a Mazda6 this isn't – but it feels perfectly average in a turn, with predictable levels of body roll, squat, and dive.

Like with previous Optima Hybrids, Kia cribbed major elements from the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. While the powertrain is the most obvious carryover, the Optima also shares the same impressively low coefficient of drag as the Hyundai, despite the obviously different sheet metal. The big addition is active grille shutters, but changes to the front and rear fascias and more-aerodynamic wheels all have a positive impact on how the Optima cuts through the air.

Kia optimized the exterior for aerodynamics, but the Optima Hybrid's cabin is largely unchanged – same clean but conservative dash, adequate material quality, and comfortable seats. The main thing you're losing out on with the Hybrid, at least in the cabin, is the gas-powered SX Limited's upgraded interior trim, like the lovely quilted leather seats. Keep that in mind if you're an upholstery snob.

In the inevitable comparison of fuel economy, the Optima Hybrid scores well for highway drivers. Its 46-mpg highway rating is five above the Ford Fusion Hybrid's, eight above the Toyota Camry Hybrid's, and only one behind the new Honda Accord Hybrid's. Things aren't as rosy for the Optima Hybrid in the city – its 39-mpg city rating is down four on the Ford, three on the Camry, and eight on the Accord. The Optima's 42-mpg combined rating wins out against the 40-mpg Toyota, ties the Ford, and is six points behind the Honda.

Prices for the base Optima Hybrid Premium start at $26,845. That's $3,855 more than the gas-only Optima LX, or the equivalent of 1,706 gallons of gas at today's AAA national average, $2.26 per gallon of 87 octane. That works out to about 108 fillings of the Optima Hybrid's 15.85-gallon fuel tank – assuming the owner nets the car's 46-mpg highway rating, there's 729 miles to a tank. At 12,000 miles per year, owners would only refuel 16.4 times. In other words, you'd need to drive for just over six and a half years before seeing a return on the purchase of an Optima Hybrid Premium. With the Optima Hybrid EX's $5,850 premium over the gas-powered EX, the range-topping hybrid is an even tougher purchase to justify.

So no, the Optima Hybrid does not make good financial sense right now. But not only can we make the same argument against the competition from Ford, Honda, and Toyota, we're relying on extremely affordable gas prices. With that in mind, the Optima Hybrid, like any hybrid, is a calculated gamble – buyers are essentially hoping to insulate themselves in case of a sudden and dramatic increase in fuel prices. That the Optima Hybrid does this while maintaining largely unchanged driving dynamics, looks, and comfort as the gas-only version makes this an easier commitment.Source

Monday, December 12, 2016

It has been revealed that the upcoming Kia GT, the South Korean company’s first sports saloon, will be able to cover the 0-62mph sprint in just 5.1 seconds. That makes the GT the fastest accelerating Kia to date.

The Kia GT has been long in development and it was already anticipated before the acceleration figure was released that this would be far sportier than any other Kia launched before. Compared even to Kia’s Cee’d GT and Pro_cee’d GT warm hatches, the all-new GT is in a league of its own in terms of speed.

While we’ve seen concepts of the Kia GT on display before, the final product has not been properly revealed and Kia has only been letting bits and pieces of info on the car trickle out over time.

It is reported however that Kia will reveal its new GT in production form in January during the 2017 Detroit Auto Show.

Kia has been teasing the reveal of its GT sports saloon by releasing a series of short videos as part of a series called The Curve Ahead, which show the car in disguised form.

The first video showed the GT being tested on the Nurburgring Nordschleife test track and ended up revealing that the car’s top speed is over 150mph. The second and most recent video confirms the benchmark sprint time of the Kia GT.

Accompanying the latest announcement, Kia said: “A benchmark for any car operating on a higher level of performance, and the number that enthusiasts look for first. The fastest-accelerating Kia to date represents a new paradigm of performance, its heart-pounding power encouraging you to grip the wheel a little more tightly.”

Thursday, December 8, 2016

You’d think we would get tired of writing about how awesome the Kia Soul is, but we just can’t stop spreading the good news! Yet again, the Kia Soul has won an outstanding award for its athletic style and outspoken personality. Car and Driver has placed the Kia Soul in its 10Best Trucks and SUVs list, giving the Soul another addition to its trophy rack.

“We are honored that Car and Driver has named the Soul to its ‘10Best Trucks and SUVs’ list,” said Orth Hedrick, vice president, product planning KMA. “The Soul has been an extraordinary success story for the Kia brand, and earning thisaward is a testament to our continued commitment to world-class quality and top-notch design that can be – in the Soul’s case – as funky as it is functional.”

For the past 35 years, a variety of vehicles have been given a spot on the original 10Best list of best cars on the market. The 10Best franchise has since expanded and created a multitude of categories, including the newly created Trucks and SUVs segment. Out of over 150 nominees, which included completely new or updated models, the Soul made it on the list.

“The current Soul has maintained the funky charm of the first-generation model with design—inside and out—that manages to be both fresh and genuinely attractive, attributes that are often at odds,” according to Car and Driver.

The 2017 Soul has some exciting updates ahead, including a newly added 201 hp 1.6-liter turbocharged engine and an available seven-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (on the Exclaim trim) that will pack quite a punch for the subcompact SUV.

Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Kia is not usually the first name that comes to mind in terms of high performance vehicles. However, Kia vehicles are known to offer much for not a lot of money and the 2017 Kia Forte is an example of this. Here are the specs, features, price and other details that buyers should know about the new Kia vehicle.

The 2017 Kia Forte - Specs

According to Consumer Reports, the 2017 Kia Forte has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine capable of putting out 147 horsepower as a standard. Buyers also have an option for another powertrain with the 2.0-liter direct-injection engine that cranks out 164 horsepower. Accordingly, these powertrains are paired with a six-speed automatic and manual transmission. The 2017 Kia Forte has a fuel economy rate of 29/38 miles per gallon in the city and highway for the first engine while the second one gets 25 and 33 miles per gallon in the city and highway respectively.

The 2017 Kia Forte - Features

The 2017 Kia Forte also has its fair share of features both in safety and entertainment aspect. In terms of safety, the 2017 Kia Forte features side impact beams, electronic stability control (ESC), dual stage driver, passenger seat-mounted side airbags, low tire pressure warning, airbag occupancy sensor, rear child safety locks, anti-lock brake system (ABS) and driveline traction control as reported by Car and Driver. The 2017 Kia Forte also has a seven-inch touchscreen situated in the center of the dashboard for its infotainment. Additionally, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also supported by the 2017 Kia Forte.

The 2017 Kia Forte - Price

The 2017 Kia Forte has a base price of $17,340 as reported. The price goes up buyers move to higher trims. The top trim is tagged with a price of $23,345 and there are also discounts that can be availed by buyers.

A Decent Vehicle To Purchase

Given the fact that the 2017 Kia Forte has decent amount of power and loaded with the latest technology in terms of safety and entertainment, there are already benefits on the side of the buyers. Putting the price into consideration, the 2017 Kia Forte is a perfect car for those that are looking to get one but on a tight budget.

Monday, December 5, 2016

A few weeks ago, we posted the results of a Consumer Reports reliability study that placed Kia in fifth -- ahead of virtually all luxury brands and even ahead of car companies that consumers traditionally consider reliable, like Acura, Honda, Infiniti, Porsche and Subaru.

The study was unusual, but it wasn't that surprising. We know that Kia has made some big strides in recent years, going from bargain-basement economy cars and little hatchbacks to vehicles that you and I would be pretty excited to own, or at least pretty excited to rent.

More recently, a new study came out: the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study, which surveys problems owners have with their vehicles in the first 90 days of ownership. While this isn't a long-term reliability study, it's a useful tool for understanding how well cars are received when they initially find buyers -- and guess who won? That's right... Kia.

Now, this might not seem like such a big deal to you, but trust me when I say it's huge news in the industry. One reason is the fact that someone finally unseated Lexus from the top spot, which they had held for approximately 9 million years. But the biggest news is that a scrappy little mainstream automaker like Kia beat out allllll the luxury brands to top this list. All the brands that normally find themselves near the top -- Porsche, Lexus, Buick, Lincoln, Infiniti, BMW -- were topped by Kia.

Of course, I freely admit that a couple of reliability surveys over a short term don't necessarily guarantee that a car company has become reliable. But from my time working at Porsche's corporate headquarters, I know the work that goes into winning the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study, and I know that it's not easy to finish near the top of a Consumer Reports survey, either.

And so, while we should all continue to monitor the situation, I'll say this: Kia has already debuted some excellent products, and it's now hard not to be impressed with its promises of reliability. Is there a new Toyota in town?